Surface Treatment Methods of Natural Fibres and their Effects on Biocomposites (Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering)

The use of natural fibers, in general, and as reinforcement in biocomposites, in particular, has been increasing steadily in the last two decades. These biocomposites are finding myriad applications in automotive, packaging, consumer goods, and construction industries. The annual biocomposites conference in Cologne, Germany, celebrates this growth by awarding the most innovative products made of biocomposites. The winners of the 8th Biocomposites Conference in 2019 reflect the diversity of such applications. Golden Compound from Germany won the first place with its certified home compostable coffee capsules, KNN Cellulose from the Netherlands took second place with their biocomposite granulates made from recycledtoilet paper, and Bcomp from Switzerland achieved third place with their PowerRibs, a composite material made of natural fibers for high-performance applications in lightweight construction [1]. Previous winners of these awards have included diverse range of products like coffin, musical instruments, and vase.